Little Women - 912 Freedom Library

Little Womencould use a needle as well as a pen. It was very provokingto be arrested in the act of a first tryingon, and ordered outto make calls in her best array on a warm July day. Shehated calls of the formal sort, and never made any till Amycompelled her with a bargain, bribe, or promise. In thepresent instance there was no escape, and having clashedher scissors rebelliously, while protesting that she smelledthunder, she gave in, put away her work, and taking upher hat and gloves with an air of resignation, told Amy thevictim was ready.‘Jo March, you are perverse enough to provoke a saint!You don’t intend to make calls in that state, I hope,’ criedAmy, surveying her with amazement.‘Why not? I’m neat and cool and comfortable, quiteproper for a dusty walk on a warm day. If people caremore for my clothes than they do for me, I don’t wish tosee them. You can dress for both, and be as elegant as youplease. It pays for you to be fine. It doesn’t for me, andfurbelows only worry me.’‘Oh, dear!’ sighed Amy, ‘now she’s in a contrary fit,and will drive me distracted before I can get her properlyready. I’m sure it’s no pleasure to me to go today, but it’sa debt we owe society, and there’s no one to pay it butyou and me. I’ll do anything for you, Jo, if you’ll only505 of 861